‘Cordial’ negotiations remain before hiring of new library chief

Wednesday, Sept. 2, 1998 | 10:57 a.m.

Carl Rowe is confident that when the Las Vegas-Clark County Library District Board of Trustees holds its regular monthly meeting Sept. 10 its members will vote to hire Daniel Walters as the district's next executive director.

"I think they'll trust that we have struck a good deal for them," said Rowe, who, as an employee of the business consulting firm of Fair, Anderson and Langerman, has been the managing agent of the district for the past six months.

Walters, director of the Buffalo, N.Y., public library system for the past three years, was chosen Saturday by the trustees as their No. 1 choice to fill the vacancy left by the resignation in January of former director Darrell Batson.

After being informed he was selected, Walters returned to Buffalo to discuss the opportunity with his wife, Mary Petty.

Walters has been unavailable for comment since leaving Las Vegas, but Rowe says Walters and his wife are committed to coming.

A signed contract is contingent upon finalizing items that are being negotiated, such as salary and benefits.

"We're not too far apart," Rowe said. "This is nothing unusual for an executive of his caliber. We haven't actually talked specific numbers, but we have talked ranges that appear to be compatible."

Rowe describes the negotiations, which began Monday, as "cordial."

"I'd like to have it wrapped up by Friday in order that we can take it to the board at its next meeting," Rowe said.